Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Perhaps one of the most exciting things about the Archdiocese of Atlanta's annual Eucharistic Congress is the vibrant faith that is displayed by local Catholics. Represented are various cultures and languages who all come together to recognize their oneness in the faith and the unifying belief of Christ's true presence in the Eucharist.

While many remember the sights and sounds of the event, one thing that always impresses me is the silence that falls over the usually noisy halls of the Georgia International Convention Center when the Blessed Sacrament makes its rounds to the different tracks. Below is a short video clip of Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory processing the Eucharist back into the Adoration Chapel following Saturday morning's activities.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

The June 2
ordination was nearly over when out from the sacristy came newly ordained
priests Father Tri Nguyen and Father Mark Starr, each holding a vase with a
gold satin bow of mondial white roses. They walked off the altar and presented the
flowers to their mothers. It was a touching moment and a real surprise for the
moms, and it brought a rousing round of applause from the congregation.

Such a
presentation is not a normal part of the ordination program. The Cathedral of
Christ the King Flower Guild, under the leadership of Linda Seitz and Jane
Murray, approached pastor Father Frank McNamee with the idea of presenting the
mothers with a vase of flowers at the ordination. Father McNamee, in turn,
shared the idea with Deacon Whitney Robichaux, master of ceremonies for the
ordination, and with the ordination candidates. Everybody was supportive and on
board with it.

Flower
guild members Kathy Ledlie and Norine McCahey put the arrangements together.
“The mondial white rose is a premium rose that opens well and it’s used quite
often at the cathedral,” said Seitz. She said the flowers were meant to
recognize the women who helped nurture their sons from birth and willingly gave
them to the church.

Trying to fight by tears once again, Patricia Starr holds her vase of mondial white roses as the congregation applauds the mothers of the newly ordained priests. In a moment of surprise, the mothers were presented with flowers from their sons.

“It was great
to have that special moment to thank her for being my mother and raising me in
the faith,” said Father Mark. His mother Patricia was emotional throughout the
ordination. She was often seen clinching a handful of Kleenex as she wiped away
tears of joy. He thought the highlight of the ordination for her was watching
her son prostrated before the altar during the Litany of the Saints, but Father
Mark said she really loved the flowers too. That evening when the family went
out to celebrate at dinner she brought the flowers along with her.

“It was
simply a way to show her my appreciation for all that she has done for me since
I was a baby,” said Father Tri. “No gift or words can adequately describe my
gratitude for all she’s done, but the flowers were a small way to express my
feelings.”

Father Tri
Nguyen said it's hard to fully express his gratitude toward his mother Mary
Thao, but the flowers were a small token of his appreciation for all that she
has done for him.

The Flower
Guild’s idea turned out to be the right touch. It was well received by the
mothers and judging by the thunderous applause, the gesture was welcomed by
those in attendance at the 2012 Rite of Ordination to the Priesthood.

“The Amen of nature is always a flower.”

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Michael Alexander, Staff Photographer

Note: See Andrew Nelson’s story in the
June 7 issue of The Georgia Bulletin
for more information about this ordination and see Stephen O’Kane’s story in
the same issue about the May 26 transitional diaconate ordination.

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About Us

The contributors to this blog are reporters Andrew Nelson and Stephen O'Kane, editors Mary Anne Castranio and Gretchen Keiser, and photographer Michael Alexander. Read the Catholic newspaper of the Atlanta Archdiocese at www.georgiabulletin.org